Former Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has spoken out on his summer loan-move to Manchester City and views the temporary arrangement as the perfect stepping stone prior to his fresh start in the United States next year.
Lampard, 36, who has completed a deal which will see him play on loan to the Premier League champions for five months prior to his move to sister club New York City FC in January, has vowed to work hard in Manchester in order to uphold his status as a top level midfielder and maintain optimum fitness for his upcoming American challenge.
At his official unveiling at the Etihad Stadium, the former Blues hero said: “Joining up with Manchester City is a fantastic opportunity for me to continue to train and play at the top level and make sure I am in top condition for New York City.
“It has been an amazing few days for me since the unveiling in Brooklyn and everyone connected with both clubs has been fantastic.”
Lampard, who played for Chelsea for 13 years and is the club’s all-time highest goal-scorer (211 goals, 9 ahead of 1960’s Chelsea legend Bobby Tambling who scored 202), is looking forward to featuring in City boss Manuel Pellegrini’s plans for the first half of the new season:
“I met Manuel and some of the players in New York and I’m looking forward to getting into training and making a contribution for City ahead of my move over to New York.
“This is a new chapter of my career and I’m really excited about the experience.”
New York City FC is a brand new MLS project, under the control of Man City owner Sheikh Mansour. The team is in the process of being built but one other big name player already confirmed to kick off their debut season is Spain international striker David Villa, who used to play for La Liga heavyweights Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.